Shifting Blame to the Mizukage

Shimura Danzō and the ninjas under his command charged rapidly towards the Cloud Ninja Army stationed in the Kirigakure encampment. Meanwhile, Chiyo and her brother, after hearing Ding Yi's words, immediately understood Shimura Danzō and Konoha's intentions.

"How disgusting!"

Chiyo's face was filled with disgust. It was truly revolting.

"I almost wish for more opponents like this."

Ebizo, however, chuckled heartily, clearly enjoying facing such adversaries.

"You're getting more disgusting too."

Giving her brother a look of disdain, Chiyo's expression turned serious as she issued her order: "Full army advance! Immediately after Konoha and the Cloud Ninja engage, we will launch a surprise attack on Uzushio Hidden Village. A swift victory is crucial. Our primary objective is to seize the sealing techniques."

Based on the current intelligence, the Cloud Hidden Village was going all out this time. Not only were they deploying their elite forces, but even the Third Raikage had been mobilized.

He was known as the strongest Raikage of all generations, possessing terrifying power.

Konoha didn't have many people, and even if they were elites, they wouldn't be able to hold out for long. They had to finish quickly, obtain the necessary sealing techniques, and retreat.

If there was an opportunity, they would also eliminate the Uzumaki clan, cutting off the roots to prevent future trouble.

Rasa was extremely excited. The final battle had finally arrived. It was a shame he wouldn't be facing the Cloud Ninja; otherwise, he would have liked to find an opportunity to eliminate that Tamura Hiroshi.

His schemes were too terrifying. He would undoubtedly be a great enemy to their Sunagakure in the future, and the sooner he was eliminated, the better.

On the other hand, Karura and Pakura beside him had complex emotions. Frankly, they had a good impression of that young man and hoped he wouldn't die in this war.

On the other side, the Iwagakure Ninja Army also received the intelligence from Ding Yi. The commander of the ninja army, Gari, made the same judgment and decision as Chiyo and her brother, ordering the ninja army to swiftly attack Uzushio Hidden Village.

The strong individuals of Uzushio Hidden Village had just joined forces with the Cloud Ninja to attack the Kirigakure Ninja Army, and their consumption must have been considerable. It was the perfect time for an assault.

The moment the ninjas from several factions began refining their chakra for the attack, the elders who had just returned to Uzushio Village sensed it.

"That's Shimura Danzō's chakra, along with the chakra of over a hundred people, all Jonin-level. Judging by their movement, they're heading towards the Cloud Ninja.

Those brats from Iwagakure and Sunagakure should be attacking soon too."

Uzumaki Ashina, who was continuously consuming Ration Pills to forcibly restore his chakra, sensed them and then looked towards the Clan Head, his own grand-nephew.

The other four elders glared angrily at the Clan Head. Konoha had clearly sent people long ago, but they had remained hidden in the shadows until now. And the first thing they did was attack their allies, the Cloud Ninja.

This was blatant, wasn't it?

"Have the children evacuate through the tunnels, and all women under thirty-five, whether single or married, should evacuate."

Masahiko Uzumaki said dejectedly. The outcome he had least hoped for had occurred.

Although this was not the will of Konoha as a whole, nor the intention of the Senju Clan or his sister, it was fatal to their Uzumaki clan at this moment.

After a long while, he calmed his emotions, took a deep breath, and stood up. He swept his gaze over everyone present, his face filled with resolve.

"The survival of the village and the clan rests on this battle. Gentlemen, I wish us great fortune in war!"

"Great fortune in war!"

Uzumaki Ashina and the others stood up, their faces filled with determination.

This was their home; they would not give up. Now that the younger generation had a way to retreat, they had nothing to worry about. They would fight a great battle, making the invaders pay a heavy price, and this would also serve as a rearguard action.

At the same time, the Cloud Ninja Army, which was clearing the battlefield at the Kirigakure encampment, also began to mobilize, preparing to face the Konoha Ninja.

Although they had suffered considerable losses in the recent battle, Konoha hadn't sent many people this time, so holding them off wouldn't be difficult.

On the nearby beach, Dodai and a Shadow Clone of Uzumaki Ashina handed a scroll to a squad leader of the Kirigakure Anbu.

This individual was an Anbu member under the Third Mizukage, sent with the army to monitor the ninja clans.

He had heard about the situation within Kirigakure. The Second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu, had once allied with several major ninja clans to seize the position of Mizukage from the current Third Mizukage.

After ascending to the position, this Third Mizukage was at odds with those ninja clans, even devising a Blood Mist Policy to weaken and suppress the ninja clan forces. The two sides were in deep conflict, even irreconcilable.

This was a point that could be exploited. If used well, it could shift the hatred of the Kirigakure ninjas in this incident.

"The plan we promised the Mizukage has been completed. Here are the sealing techniques suitable for sealing the Three-Tails and Six-Tails. We hope that in the upcoming war, Kirigakure can form a permanent alliance with our Uzushio Hidden Village and Kumogakure, mutually assisting each other."

The Shadow Clone of Uzumaki Ashina stated, his face beaming with friendliness, showing none of the resentment he had just displayed towards the Kirigakure Ninja Army.

Dodai beside him also wore a friendly expression. This had been planned long ago.

The Anbu squad leader was still completely bewildered. Was this the Mizukage's plan?

Using Kumogakure and Uzushio Hidden Village to annihilate the elite ninja clans within the village, and obtaining sealing techniques capable of sealing Tailed Beasts.

One could only say... as expected of the Mizukage!

The few surviving Kirigakure Anbu ninjas behind him also sighed inwardly, realizing that this was all the Mizukage's scheme.

Brilliant!

"Kirigakure will be a steadfast ally to Kumogakure and Uzushio Hidden Village!"

Despite his bewilderment, the Anbu squad leader immediately responded.

Regardless of anything else, his life had been deliberately spared, and they had been given these Tailed Beast sealing techniques. They shouldn't be fake.

Furthermore, he was only a squad leader. The captain who accompanied the ninja army on this mission had unfortunately died on the battlefield. He assumed the captain would have known about this.

Although the captain had unfortunately fallen, the Mizukage's mission still had to be completed. He had to bring these Tailed Beast sealing techniques back.

"We won't see you off any further. Please give our regards to the Mizukage."

Dodai smiled broadly. It was best that they were cooperating so readily.

By using this person to shift the blame onto the Mizukage, they could stir up trouble within Kirigakure.

Even if the Third Mizukage knew they had been tricked, it wouldn't matter, because the Tailed Beast Sealing Technique was real.

"Please also give our regards to the Third Raikage and the Uzumaki Clan Head!"

The Anbu captain responded earnestly, then signaled his subordinates to raise the sails. They used the wind to quickly head out to sea.

"The Third Mizukage is truly ruthless!"

Uzumaki Ashina's Shadow Clone remarked as he watched the ship grow smaller and smaller, his gaze flicking to a spot in the water.

The Hozuki clan's Water Transformation Technique was indeed well-hidden in the water, but in front of the sensory abilities of the Uzumaki clan, it was trash.

"He was stripped of the Mizukage position by the Second Mizukage because he wasn't ruthless enough back then. After suffering a loss once, he won't be soft-hearted again. Only by annihilating those few ninja clans can his position as Mizukage be secured."

Dodai chimed in, implying it was all the Third Mizukage's fault.

After chatting for a while, the two left. Once they were gone, a head emerged from the water. It was a Hozuki ninja who had been left behind on the ship by Hozuki Jagetsu. Sensing that something was wrong, he immediately dove into the water to hide.

"Third!"

He let out a low growl of resentment, then, not daring to linger, he submerged himself and quickly swam away.

He had to return to the village as soon as possible to inform the Clan Head and the other ninja clans. His clansmen couldn't have sacrificed themselves in vain. He would definitely make that Third pay the price.